Watchdog: Lower Brule misspent about $937K in federal funds

SIOUX FALLS (AP) — The finances of a Native American tribe in central South Dakota have been under the scrutiny of at least three government agencies, according to its response to a federal watchdog's report Wednesday that said tribal officials misspent part of nearly $2.7 million in Department of Justice grant money.

The audit by the Justice Department's Office of Inspector General found the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe had about $937,000 in unallowable, unsupported or unreasonable expenses. The tribe's response to the audit also confirms that several federal agencies began questioning its use of taxpayer funds months after an international human rights organization issued a report alleging that tribal leaders had misdirected millions of dollars intended to help impoverished tribal members.

http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/state/3993564-watchdog-lower-brule-misspent-about-937k-federal-funds